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Plans for a new care home near Darent Valley Hospital will help resolve parking problems in the area, according to developers.
Bostall Group submitted plans for the new home to Dartford Council at the end of last year, but have since revised the scheme following comments from the public.
The proposal now consists of a 90-bed care home with its own parking including a decked car park with integrated landscaping, which the company says will "help alleviate hospital parking congestion and the related overspill onto the neighbouring Fleet Estate."
They say the scheme include an "offer to lease the decked car park to the hospital or cap parking costs to the same as the hospital, whilst also funding measures to improve parking abuse on the Fleet Estate."
The group have also also cancelled plans for a hotel and coffee shop with a drive-thru facility which would have exacerbated issues.
Bostall Group spokesman, Richard Harris said: “Not only will these proposals help meet urgent need for care facilities in the area and vastly improve local parking issues, they will also provide an opportunity to create jobs and alleviate pressure on the hospital at the same time.
“We recognise that the site is designated as Green Belt by DBC; however, the land we are looking to regenerate with the new care home is run down, dilapidated, and does not contribute positively towards the recognised purposes that Green Belt should serve in accordance with national planning policy. Our development will feature an attractive landscaping scheme and provides an opportunity to improve wildlife and biodiversity on the site.”
He added: “Bostall Group is a local company which owns and manages the care homes it builds. Construction work has recently started on another Dartford care home, which has been developed in partnership with the local authorities to deliver exactly what the community is lacking, and we are taking the same approach here at every turn.
“We are hoping that the application will be considered by the planning committee soon and any local support will be much appreciated to ensure this development can come forward.”
Anybody wishing to discuss the scheme and how they can support it can call Mr Harris on Freephone 08000 356 480.
